~ Sloane ~
DING! DING!
The bell rang as customers entered the grocery shop where I was.
The salesboy stared straight into my eyeballs, tinting his head a little to the left before squinting his cute tiny eyes.
Confused, I was, and just standing right in front of him with my already picked out items, waiting to pay.
"You're way too pretty to die yet," he finally dropped those words on me like a nuclear bomb, calculating the total of my payment. "Be careful out there, Missy. These streets aren't for anyone this time of day".
This time of day? It's only just 6pm. Right. I understood. I definitely understood.....but did I understand though? I probably did.
Apparently there's been an emergence of a serial killer lately running around killing people in the most brutal way possible. Talk about being jobless. Tsk! I don't actually care about it so long as I'm not involved or anything.
"Cash or credit card?"
"Cash," I said, giving him my money. "And by the way, next time don't --"
Oh great! He suddenly had to rush to the back to get something.
It was then I realized -- silence filled the cold air, consuming the oxygen in the atmosphere.
My gaze skimmed through the shop as I slowly turned around, only to be met with an empty store. Or was it empty?
Well if we're excluding the young man in black,staring blatantly into my soul like I was an enemy in his past life, then sure,....an empty store.
I stared right back at him, scared, as well as bewitched by his criminal beauty. He's a masterpiece of masculine perfection, with chiseled features that seem to have been carved by the gods themselves.
I snapped back to reality when his gaze left my face, scanning the store.
His piercing gaze lingering on the surroundings like a whispered promise.
The soft light dances across his angular jawline, accentuating the resolute set of his mouth, and the air was palpably charged with anticipation.
A thought flashed through my mind then. Could he be the killer? Was it already my time to walk towards the bright light?
I released a sigh, disappointment evident on my face. Dying at the hands of a sinful looking man..... shouldn't be THAT bad.
"Sloane Reynolds," I suddenly felt his heated breath on my neck, eyes opened wide in shock.
Did this man just move at me faster than I could react? Because how did he ...and how does he know my name?
"I finally found you". His whispered words found their way to my soul, crucifying every bit of confidence in me only to ignite a skyrocketed amount of fear. I froze, my legs became noodles, dancing and shivering at his very existence.
He pulled back, and aimed for the exit. Each step he took registered dominance on my brain, like I wasn't even allowed the freedom to breathe.
Reaching for the door, he stopped. Turns his head towards me, casting a single eye over his shoulder.
This bloody bastard was drinking in the look on my face, savouring every last bit of it. I could tell by his suddenly darkened eyes, and the devilish smirk that slowly crawled to his cheeks.
I let out a panicked breath at his exiting when the salesboy finally showed up.
"Sorry about that, Missy. Here's your change--"
He noticed my heavy breathing and profused sweating, rushing to offer me a glass of water.
I gulped it down at the speed of light before breaking out to catch my breath.
"HOW COULD YOU LEAVE ME ALONE IN AN EMPTY STORE!!?...what if....what if I had died??". I broke down in tears, pounding my already heavy chest.
"Empty?" He looked straight at me in a confused look, like I didn't just encounter death in person.
"Look around, Missy. The store is filled with curious customers who are just as confused as I am---"
Surprised, I was, when I noticed those people staring at me in confusion. Like the hell did they come from?!How did I not see them then? Now I definitely felt like dying of embarrassment if the ground could swallow me up that moment.
I know it. They know it. We all knew it.
This embarrassing moment marked the day all steeze were lost. I, Sloane Reynolds, to be precise.
My soul left me when a little boy burst into laughter, titling me a chicken aunt. Flaunting his little perfect teeth, ebony hair , and cute blue eyes. Oh I'll never forget the looks of this little nightmare.
And don't think I didn't also notice everyone trying so hard to hold back the laughter.
"And this is my cue to leave".
I hurriedly picked myself up and charged at the door.
"But your change--"
"KEEP IT!". I yelled, storming out.
Sigh. What an episode. Well at least I got the groceries. I wonder what I'll wear for my meeting with Rowan tonight.
Rowan Lane, my childhood bestie, is finally coming to see me tonight. I wonder what he looks like now, it's been ten years now.....
Ten years.... since the incident. My expression dropped as I recalled the past, my dark past that impacted his life greatly. I wonder if he'd ever forgive me. Should I apologize? Or has he already forgotten about it. Will apologizing only open up closed wounds? I kept thinking over and over till I arrived at my door step.
The universe faded into the background as I pulled the door open, an utter mess. And of course, a couch potato in the arms of a bigger couch potato, smooching like their very lives depends on it.
I can't believe I went out to get groceries so she could make out with her boyfriend.
"Sloaney bear, you're back!". She broke free from the passionate kiss.
This house belongs to her, Isla Willow, my lazy but trusted best friend who's also the best hairstylist and makeup artist in the world.
Mom kept on picking at me every single opportunity she got, introducing 'suitors' to me. Suitors! I'm only 24years old, young and beautiful, I must say.
Dad has been in coma for years now. Aria and Asher, my kid twin sister and brother, will be the end of me with their constant troubles.....so yeah, I moved in with Isla.
"Why so much mess, Isla?" I cried out, swimming past the piles of clothes mounted on the floor. I'm definitely living with a pig, ....a pig with makeup and a really cute donkey for a boyfriend. "Rowan will be here soon, you have to clean this place up before he arrives--"
"Do we need condom, babe?"
"No need, I'm on contraception".
"Cool. It's gonna be fucking good tonight. You're gonna scream my name so bad".
Okay gross! Did these two forget a single Pringle was in the house? They make being single a crime.
"Sloaney bear, could you hurry up and leave? We need the house tonight". Her crippled moaning kept staining my heart with jealousy.
Silas Marlowe, a really charmingly hot guy... who's also Isla's boyfriend... unfortunately. And yeah, you guessed right! Silas and I made out a couple of times .. behind Isla's back. Fun! Yeah You probably didn't guess that. Oops!
They already started their make out party.
Her buttons were already undone by Silas, his face completely buried in her full chest, with one hand slipping through her panties exploring her V spot.....and I realize I'm way too crazy for even watching this.
"I'm just gonna go get dressed....you two.... keep doing whatever it is you're doing".
Should I apologize to Rowan? Will he forgive me? He's probably no longer in love with me. Does he hate me? No matter how many times I apologize, I can't bring back the dead....
My thoughts, and only my thoughts, will be the end of me. I let out a sigh, clouded with guilt and disappointment as I ascended the stairs to my room.
~~~~~*****~~~~~
Ding Dong!
The doorbell rang.
Rowan! He's finally here! Isla will probably get the door.
I proceeded with my makeover, styling my long black hair before fitting my dress and picking up my bag.
Ding Dong!
It rang a second time. Or was it the third...or fifth? I was probably too busy checking out my stunning outfit to hear the doorbell ring. Let's just say it's the second time.
I walked down the stairs, only to witness a vulgar activity going on on the couch. Are they drowned in each other to hear the doorbell.
It rang again. This time I was already at the door. I took a deep breath before fliging it open.
There he was, standing in front of me, looking so unreal.
Rowan Lane, ....or was it someone else? ..... I'm just gonna go with Rowan, my first childhood friend.
He stood like a portrait brought to life -- tall, poised , and effortlessly magnetic. His tailored suit hugged his frame with precision, the dark fabric smooth and rich like midnight velvet.
A crisp white shirt peeked from beneath, open just enough at the collar to suggest confidence without trying.
His shoes, mirror -shined, tapped softly against the floor. A sleek watch hugged his wrist, understated but impossible to miss- money whispered, not shouted..... Quiet luxury in every detail.
His hair, a graceful mix of dominant brown and recessive blonde, was artfully undone. His jawline carved like it had a purpose, and his eyes held that calm, unreadable fire. And his car called me poor in hundred different languages.
He didn't wear style,..He WAS style.
"Sloane," The cadence of his voice was soothing, like a lullaby. Before I knew it, I was drowning in the warm embrace of his arms.
"Now I'm never letting you out of my sight. So please don't,... Don't go out of my reach this time".
What is happening? What does this act mean? I'm more surprised than I've ever been, but at the same time, I loved every moment of it. Though it was a very feint smell, but he reeked of blood beneath his cologne. I had always had a very keen nose.
"Quit sniffing me like a dog, Sloane. I'm a medical doctor, of course I reek of blood ".
Does he read minds also? ..... because what the fuck??
He pulled away slowly and walked me to his car, being the gentleman he is by saving me the stress of opening it.
"Shall we, milady?".